[Tibbs]

I've finally got enough space to start my take on Donington Park.
I have a wonderful book called Donington Park The Pioneers and it has track layouts from 1931-present day.

Because I reallly like the older cars and the MotoGP bikes I've decided to make half the track circa 1931 and the other half 2004, hence the Melange part of the name.
The 1930's section is from the old Redgate Lodge up to the Old Hairpin Bend.
The start section use to be in between Craner Curves and Old Hairpin so this is where mine will be.

The 2004 section will start from Starky's Bridge just before McLeans and from Coppice Corner heading to the Dunlop Bridge straight, I've decide to make the straight all the way to Redgate Corner so I have a really nice straight to stretch the cars/bikes legs, so unfortunetly Fogarty Esses won't exist (I prefered Aaron Slight anyway )

I already have a long stainless bench attached to my wall so I've only had to add leg sections for support.
I'm using Insulation board for the base in 3 sections and will build up the gradiants with thicker insulation boards.
   
   
With the fences and gravel traps I will use some of the scalextric ones and blend them in and some I will make with  building up/blending insulation board.
I've just put some fences in place to test the track so I don't damage cars.
This will be my start finish area.
   
Then up to McLeans and Coppice.
   
Then the main straight up to Redgate which will have the Old Original Dunlop Bridge just before Redgate Lodge on to Hollwood.
   
I have spent the last few evenings tweaking heights of elevation to see if cars and my bikes can handle the track, this bit has been enjoyable.
   
As you know this will take a long time but I think that's part of the fun as I love the building process.

I hope you enjoy watching my progress, I'm quite buzzing to have finally started.

Cheers
Tony

[Tibbs]

Hi guy's, I've been plugging away at building up the track suports and scenery base.
Boy this is a time consuming and messy job, it's going to look like it's snowing when I start shaping and sanding.
I cut a thin base from 6mm mdf and then cut top run off sections and glued those together.
There's probably a easier way but this worked for me.
   
   
   
Next was using loads of insulation board , various thickness's I've been collecting off industrial sites over time.
I've got the elevations I want and glued everything with pva, still got a few more lower levels to add and then start cutting and shaping/sanding.
   
   
   
Cheers for looking

[Tibbs]

Hi guy's, I've got a little progress on the base scenery.
Most of the foam board is glued and shaped with drywall plaster brushed on.
Got to shape and plaster McLeans and Coppice and then on to haveing a go at some grass and dirt etc.
   
   

[Anthony B]

Looking good Tibbs - kepp the updates comin!!

[Tibbs]

Looking good Tibbs - kepp the updates comin!!

Thanks mate, I will do.

[Fast Co.]

Looking good! 

[Tibbs]

Looking good! 

Cheers, I'm on to a bit of track painting and having fun with the weather changing in Blighty re paint drying.

[Tibbs]

I've got my track pieces painted with the base colours I want to depict the two different errors I'm making.
Lots of prep and with this PlastiKote textured paint I used, you need to leave it over night to dry, It says touch dry in 1 hour but thats not correct.
I will hand brush some race lines to finish it off.
   
   
It really has transformed the Scalextric sport track to something that actually has grip now.
   
My midget car which I need to finish loves it.
   
The bikes are a little noisey because the batwing stabilisers run along it but I don't mind.
   
On to finishing the plaster work down Coppice corner and then I'll start some scenery paint/grass in sections.
I'm looking forward to using my static grass tool for the first time

Cheers

[Tibbs]

I've decided to make a section of fence scenery to get it laid out before I paint and add dirt and grass on the old Hairpin Bend.
I have some great pics of this section and there is loads of different bits I'll need to make which I'm looking forward to.
I brought some white picket fencing from Hobby Craft and stripped the paint and randomly cut the length of the panels to match the cool old fence which there was miles of it at the old circuit.
   
   
I made a wash and stained all the pieces then used thin wire to put the femnce togeather.
   
   
Then I made some thicker post from balsa and stained and dry brushed them.
   
   
To fit the thicker post to the fence I cut some wire and made little staple type things that push nicley into the balsa and a touch of glue.
   
Next I made one of the famous 5 post gates which were all around the circuit, did a sketch from reference pics and cut and sliced the balsa.
I thought I might as well have them functional so I used the small hinges on an old pair of glasses, I also used a section from the glasses as a chain/lock.
The gates will be painted white and aged to look right.
To fix everything to the track I've broken tooth pics and glued them in the bottom.
   
   
   
   
I've also made the sandbags, I made those out of coffee sacks and put a soft cottom in them, they will be compressed down more that the pic shows when fixed in place.
   
   
I hope thats not too many pics at once, just trying to show how much work has been involved doing it.
Cheers for looking.

[Kevan]

LOVE IT!